The Social Employers and EPSU set out 15 actions to keep and attract workers in European social services

Today, the Federation of European Social Employers and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) sign the Framework of Actions on Retention & Recruitment in Social Services. The agreement is the first major achievement of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee for Social Services, established in 2023.

Negotiated jointly by employers and trade unions, this milestone initiative sets out the Social Dialogue Committee’s partners goals and actions to tackle the workforce shortages and high turnover that already undermine the quality and availability of care across Europe. It calls on governments and funding authorities to help make care jobs attractive, sustainable and rewarding.

In line with the European Care Strategy and the EU Action Plan to address labour and skills shortages, the Framework lays out 15 concrete actions across eleven thematic focus areas to stem the staffing crisis. These include:

• Build career pathways and improve wages through robust collective bargaining.
• Improve onboarding processes and guarantee safe, needs-based staffing levels.
• Invest in education, lifelong learning and digital skills for person-centred services.
• Improve work-life balance with flexible schedules and family-friendly policies.
• Promote gender equality and open the door to a more diverse workforce.
• Prevent musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial risks.
• Strengthen social dialogue in countries where it is still missing or weak.

The document is both a commitment from the EU level social partners for social services and an urgent call to action for all who shape social services. With the Framework now signed, the Social Employers and EPSU urge national, regional and local social partners and public authorities to put its measures into practice.

With this joint commitment, the two social partners aim to support the delivery of reliable, person-centred services while building resilient, attractive workplaces for the workers who provide them.

Read the full Framework of Actions here.

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The Federation of European Social Employers (the Social Employers) represents social services employers at the European level. It defines social services as care and support for older people, persons with disabilities, children, and other disadvantaged persons. The Federation’s goals are to strengthen employers’ positions at both European and national levels, develop common positions among members, and engage in dialogue with European trade unions. In doing so, the Social Employers support quality services and quality jobs in the sector.

The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) brings together trade unions from across Europe and represents over 8 million public service workers. It is the most representative European trade union organisation in the social services sector. EPSU works hard to deliver better working conditions, improved health and safety and enhanced rights for its members. By sitting down with employers at European level, we negotiate best practice agreements that improve the working lives of public service workers and ensure quality services for citizens.